Eccentrically movable top roll clearer for drawing frames



April 15, 1958 J. T. WHITE 2,830,329

ECCENTRICALLY MOVABLE TOP ROLL CLEARER FOR DRAWING FRAMES Filed March 3, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 k0 l 9 Q I N 1 Rfl' mi F a s0 co n Q n w a INVENTOR, I dmzs T M075.

1 h Wi m ATTORNEYd April 15, 1958 J. T. WHITE 2,830,329

ECCENTRICALLY MOVABLE TOP ROLL CLEARER FOR DRAWING FRAMES Filed March 3, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 E 9 4 AM/5s 77 WHITE,

INVENTOR ATTORNEYd April 15, 1958' J. T. WHITE ECCENTRICALLY MOVABLE TOP ROLL CLEARER FOR DRAWING FRAMES Filed March 3, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 f K\\\ \\\Y d/wes T Wmre INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY? United States Patent ECCENTRICALLY MOVABLE TOP ROLL CLEARER FOR DRAWING FRAMES James T. White, Gastonia, N. C.

Application March 3, 1955, Serial No. 491,919

11 Claims. (Cl. 19-139) This invention relates to means for clearing or removing loose fibers, lint and the like from top rolls in drawing frames, spinning frames, twisters, roving frames and the like.

In the drafting of textile fibers, such as in roving frames, drawing frames, spinning frames, twisters and the like, it often occurs that loose fibers and lint have a tendency to collect into bunches on the top rolls which are subsequently cast off and carried along by the roving or strand being processed, thereby resulting in slubs in the roving or strand.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a clearing mechanism which will remove the loose fibers and lint from the top rolls thereby preventing build-up or eyebrowing of lint and loose fibers on the rolls.

It isanother object of this invention to provide a device of the type described which may be manufactured as a self-contained unit and readily mounted on an existing drawing frame or the like without mechanically connecting the invention to the frame. The structure by which the foregoing objects may be attained broadly comprises a clearer board adapted to rest upon the top rolls and eccentrically linked to a clearer board driving roll preferably of somewhat larger diameter than the top rolls and supported by one or more other top rolls whereby rotation is imparted to the driving roll by the top rolls with the result that the clearer board will be moved eccentrically relative to the top rolls to provide a more efficient clearing action than has heretofore been possible.

It is another object of this invention to provide apparatus of the character described wherein corresponding ends of a pair of links are pivotally connected to opposite ends of the driving clearer roll, eccentrically of the axis of the driving roll with the pivotal connections between the links and the clearer roll being staggered relative to each other to impart a swivel motion to the clearer board; that is, to cause the board to oscillate about a substantially perpendicular axis as it is moved to and fro.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a top plan view of one form of the improved clearer apparatus as applied to one form of drafting mechanism;

Figure 2 is a front elevation looking at the lower side of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 33 in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a schematic view showing a second form of the invention in association with various sizes of top rolls of a drawing frame;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a portion of a spinning frame, roving frame or the like showing a third form of clearer apparatus thereon;

Figure 6 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 6-6 in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 7-7 in Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary isometric view showing the manner in which one of the links is connected to one end of the clearer roll.

The first form of the invention is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 wherein it is shown in association with a drawing frame, although it is to be understood that the present invention may be applied, with certain modifications, to a spinning frame, roving frame, twister or the like.

The drawing frame comprises a plurality of roll stands 10 having a plurality of bearing blocks 11 mounted thereon by any suitable means such as screws 12. The hearing blocks 11 have a plurality of bottom rolls 14, 15, 16 and 17 suitably journaled therein, which bottom rolls are usually fluted and are driven by any suitable means, not shown. A plurality of top rolls 20, 21, 22 and 23 are also suitably journaled in the bearing blocks 11.

The top rolls 20, 21, 22 and 23 are preferably provided with a covering of rubber, leather or cork and, as sliver or roving S passes between the top and bottom rolls, it often happens that lint and loose fibers are picked up by the top rolls which subsequently become matted and are transferred in chucks back to the sliver or roving as it passes outwardly from between the top and bottom rolls.

The clearer means of the present invention is adapted to prevent the build-up or matting of loose fibers and lint on the top rolls and, to this end, there is provided a clearer board driving roll 25 preferably of somewhat larger diameter than the top rolls and which is preferably provided with a smooth leather or plastic covering 26 thereon. A link 30 is pivotally and eccentrically connected to one end of the roll 25, as at 28, and another link 31, which may be identical to the link 30 and is shown partially in dotted lines in Figure 3, is pivotally and eccentrically connected to the other end of the roll 25. It will be noted in Figure 3 that not only are the links 30 and 31 eccentrically mounted on the roll 25 by the pivotal connections 28 and 29, but the pivotal connections 28 and 29 are staggered or out of alinement relative to each other.

The ends of the links 30, 31 remote from the roll 25 are pivotally connected, as at 32, 33, respectively, to opposite ends of a clearer board 34, the pivotal connections 32, 33 being preferably axially alined relative to each other and being preferably positioned in the upper medial portion of respective ends of the clearer board 34.

The clearer board driving roll 25 is preferably supported between the rear top rolls 20, 21 so the clearer board 34 rests upon the front rolls 22, 23 as shown in Figure 3. However, the clearer board driving roll may be suitably guided so it will rest upon only one of the rolls 20 or 21, if desired, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Rotation is imparted to the roll 25 by the top rolls 20, 21 and it is clear that the manner in which the links 30, 31 connect the clearer board to the roll 25 causes the clearer board 34 to move across the revolving top rolls 22, 23 in an oscillatory manner, thus effectively wiping the top rolls 22 and 23 and removing lint and loose fibers therefrom.

In order to assist in the wiping operation, the lower surface of the clearer board 34 is preferably provided with a smooth yieldable covering 35, such as leather, sheet plastic or felt. A suitable cushioning material, such as foam or sponge rubber 36, may be placed between the covering 35 and the block 34, if desired, said cushioning material 36 being held in place by turning up the longitudinal edges of the covering 35 and securing the same in beveled or grooved portions 37 of the block or board 34. If desired, a suitable weight, preferably in the form of a metal plate 38, may be suitably secured to the upper surface of the clearer board 34 to further aid in the cleaning or clearing operation.

SECOND FORM OF THE INVENTION Referring now to Figure 4, there will be observed a schematic illustration of a form of drafting mechanism provided with lower rolls 40, 41, 42 and 43 of varying sizes and top rolls 44, 45 and 46, also of varying sizes. The top roll 45 is of relatively larger diameter than the remainder of the top and bottom rolls and rests upon and between the bottom rolls 41 and 42.

The second form of clearer assembly used in association with this type of drawing frame includes many parts substantially the same as those in the first form of the invention heretofore described and like parts will bear like reference characters with the prime notation added. The second form of clearer assembly includes a clearer board driving roll 25' which has links 30', 31' eccentrically mounted on opposite ends thereof, as at 28', 29, the pivotal connections 28', 29' being staggered relative to each other as previously described. The links 30, 31 are connected to opposite ends of a clearer board 34' which may be identical to the clearer board 34.

The pivotal connections 28', 29' also serve to connect the front ends of respective links 51, 52 to opposite ends of the driving roll 25'. The links 51, 52 extend rearwardly from roll 25' and are pivotally connected, as at 53 and 54, to a second or rear clearer board 55 which is of substantially the same construction as the front clearer board 34' and rests upon the rear top roll 44. Like the clearer board 34', the clearer board 55 is preferably provided with a smooth yieldable covering such as leather, sheet plastic, felt or the like, indicated at 56, and a cushioning material 57, preferably made from foam rubber or sponge rubber, is provided between the lower portion of the covering 56 and the rear clearer board or block 55. A suitable weight, also in the form of a metal plate 60, may be suitably secured to the upper surface of the rear clearer board 55, if desired.

Now, the pivot points 32', 33 are preferably disposed in co-axial relationship as are the pivot points 53, 54 and, as heretofore stated, the pivotal connections 28, 29 between the proximal ends of the links 30, 51 and 31', 52 and opposite ends of the roll 25' are disposed in eccentric relationship as well as being eccentric relative to the axis of the driving roll 25. It is apparent, therefore, that the second form of the invention shown in Figure 4 operates in substantially the same manner as the first form of the invention shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3; that is, during operation of the drafting machine, the top rolls 44, 45 and 46 are driven by contact with the driven bottom rolls 40, 41, 42 and 43 and, thus, the top rolls 44, 45 impart rotation to the driving clearer roll 25. Rotation of the driving clearer roll 25 imparts what may be termed as a swirling" motion to both of the clearer boards 34', 55 simultaneously to the extent that the clearer boards 34 and 55' not only move to and fro across the corresponding top rolls, but they also oscillate about a substantially vertical axis.

THIRD FORM OF THE INVENTION In Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8, there is shown a third form of the invention which is particularly adapted for use in clearing lint and other matter from top rolls wherein as few as three top rolls are employed and the axes thereof are arranged in laterally spaced alinement at an angle.

To this end, the third form of the invention is shown in being a pair of end roll stands 66, 67 and an intermediate roll stand 70 shown in Figure 5. The roll stands support a conventional cap bar rod 71 on which end-cap-bars 72 and 73 and a plurality of intermediate cap bars 74 are fixedly mounted, there being only one of the intermediate cap bars 74 shown in this instance and positioned above the corresponding intermediate roll stand 70.

Front, intermediate and rear angularly arranged driven bottom rolls 75, 76 and 77 are journaled in the roll stands 66, 67 and 70 and conventional sets of top rolls are positioned between adjacent cap bars. Each set of top rolls includes a lower front top roll 80, an intermediate top roll 81 and a rear upper top roll 82 which are positioned above the respective bottom rolls 75, 76 and 77 and are driven by contact therewith. Each of the top rolls includes a pair of spaced bosses or enlarged portions 83 which are connected by a roller neck or reduced portion 84 and opposed ends of each top roll have reduced portions 85 thereon which are journaled in suitable notches provided therefor in the corresponding cap bars 72, 73 and 74.

Such drafting machines are usually provided with a saddle 86 which is shown resting upon the roller necks 84 of the intermediate and rear top rolls 81 and 82. As is well known a saddle, not shown, also usually rests upon the roller neck 84 of the front top roll 80. The saddle 86 usually has suitable weight means, not shown, connected thereto for applying downward pressure to the corresponding top rolls to press the bosses thereof against the corresponding bottom rolls. The parts of the drafting mechanism shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 heretofore described are conventional and well known in the art and a further description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

The third form of the improved top roll clearer apparatus shown in Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 is similar to the forms of the invention shown in the other figures and differs therefrom primarily in that the driving clearer roll rests upon a single top roll, rather than upon and between adjacent pairs of top rolls. The driven clearer roll in this form of the invention is broadly designated at 90 and comprises a relatively small shaft or rod 91 having a plurality of relatively large bosses or rollers 92 fixed thereon in axially spaced relationship, these bosses coinciding with and being of substantially the same length as corresponding bosses 83 on the rear top rolls 82. Each of the bosses of the driving clearer roll 90 preferably has a suitable smooth, yieldable covering 93 thereon made from leather, sheet plastic, felt or the like.

Each endmost boss 92 of the driving clearer roll 90 has a substantially Z-shaped crank member thereon comprising a pivot shaft or rod 95 fixed thereto in off-center or eccentric relation to the axis of the driven clearer roll 90 and these shafts 95 are also eccentrically disposed relative to each other. The outer end of each of the shafts 95 has a crank arm 96 (Figure 8) removably secured thereto, as by a screw 97, and which has a pivot shaft 100 integral with one end thereof and extending outwardly therefrom in axial alinement with the axis of the bosses 92 of the driving clearer roll 90. Of course, in this instance, the pivot shafts 100 are also in axial alinement with the rod 91.

Thepivot shafts 100 each rest against the rear surface of a bearing shown in the form of an angle clip 101, there being one of the angle clips 101 suitably secured to each of the endmost cap bars 72 and 73. The shafts 100 may be journaled in bearings provided in lieu of the angle clips 101, if desired. However, the angle clips 101 are preferably used as bearing means for the shafts 100 in order to facilitate ease in mounting the improved clearer apparatus upon, and removing the same from, the top rolls 80, 81 and 82.

Although the eccentric shafts 95 are fixed to opposite ends of the clearer roll 90, it is contemplated that the Z- shaped crank members may be inversely arranged so the concentric shaft portions thereof may be connected to the clearer roll 90 and the eccentric portions thereof would then be remote from the corresponding endmost bosses 92. However, the concentric shaft portions would still engage the bearings 101.

Each of the eccentric shafts 95 has the rear end of a corresponding link 103 pivotally mounted thereon. The front ends of the links 103 are pivotally connected, as at 105, to opposite ends of a clearer board 107 which may be supported by all of the front and intermediate top rolls 80 and 81 extending throughout the length of the machine. The pivot points 105 are preferably disposed in co-axial relationship. The lower surface of the clearer board 107 has a smooth, yieldable covering 110 thereon which is folded upwardly against the front and rear surfaces of the clearer board 107 and is adhesively or otherwise suitably secured thereto. The lower surface of the clearer board 107 also preferably has a resilient cushion material 111 thereon which is disposed between the clearer board 107 and the covering 110. This cushion 111 is preferably made from foam rubber or sponge rubber.

Now, in order to insure that the clearer board 107 or the covering 110 thereon does not interfere with the normal function of the saddles 86, only one of which is shown in Figures 5 and 6, the lower surface of the clearer board 107 and the corresponding portions of the covering 110 and cushion 111 are cut away to provide notches 112 above the roller necks 84 of each of the sets of front and intermediate top rolls 80, 81, there being only one of such notches 112 shown in Figures 5 and 6.

The portions of the covering 110 remaining on each side of the saddle 86 are preferably of substantially the same or greater length than the corresponding bosses 83 on the corresponding top rolls and may also extend over the intermediate cap bar or bars. Adjacent bosses 92 on the driving clearer roll 90 are spaced from each other to provide ample clearance for the normal function of the saddles 86 and to also minimize the amount of covering material 93 required for each driving clearer roll 90.

It is apparent from the foregoing disclosure that the third form of the invention functions in substantially the same manner as the first and second forms of the invention and that the eccentric shafts 95 impart a swirling motion to the clearer board 107 and, of course, since the clearer board 107 depends from the clearer board driving roll 90, it is apparent that the journaled portions of the shafts 100 on the cranks 96 are held against the rear surfaces of the hearings or angle clips 101 by gravity.

It should be noted that all three forms of the invention may be readily removed from or installed on existing machines merely by placing the same in position or manually removing them therefrom, there being no mechanical connections whatsoever between the various forms of the improved clearing apparatus and the drafting mechanisms of the machine, each form of the apparatus being driven solely by contact of the corresponding driving clearer roll with one or more of the conventional top rolls of the machine. It should also be noted, in each instance, that the width of the clearer board should be such that the clearer boards will remain in engagement with the corresponding top rolls throughout the range of movement thereof.

It is thus seen that I have provided various forms of an improved clearing apparatus which will effectively remove lint, loose fibers and the like from the top rollsof drafting machinery and wherein the clearer boards thereof not only reciprocate to and fro, or forwardly or rearwardly, but they also oscillate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the axes of adjacent top rolls to thereby effect a swirling motion to the clearer boards which not only effectively removes the lint, loose fibers and the like from the top rolls, but also insures that excessive amounts of such lint, loose fibers and the like, cannot collect on the covering provided on the lower surface of each clearer board so that only minute particles of lint and the like will be cast back onto the textile material being processed which will not be detrimental to such material.

In the drawings and specification there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. In a textile drafting machine having a set of parallel spaced top drafting rolls; the combination of a clearer board resting upon at least one of said top rolls, a clearer board driving roll resting upon others of said top rolls and driven thereby, first and second links pivotally connected, in substantially co-axial relationship, to opposite ends of said clearer board, and means pivotally connecting the rear ends of the first and second links to opposite ends of the driving clearer roll eccentrically of the axis of the clearer roll and at points eccentrically of each other.

2. An improved clearer apparatus for the top rolls of a textile drafting machine whose top rolls are disposed in spaced substantially parallel relationship; said clearer apparatus comprising a driving clearer roll adapted to rest upon at least one of said top rolls to be driven thereby and having a pair of links pivotally connected thereto in eccentric relationship to the axis of said driving roll and also at points in eccentric relation to each other, a clearer board spaced from said clearer roll and resting upon at least one other of said top rolls, and means pivotally connecting the ends of said links remote from the clearer roll to opposite ends of said clearer board.

3. In a textile drafting mechanism having at least three substantially parallel spaced and driven top rolls thereon; an improved clearer apparatus comprising a clearer roll resting upon and between adjacent pairs of said top rolls and being driven thereby, a clearer board resting upon the remaining of said top rolls and having a smooth yieldable covering on the lower surface thereof, a link pivotally connected to each end of said clearer board at one end thereof, the other ends of said links being pivotally connected to opposite ends of said clearer roll in eccentric relation to the axis of the clearer roll, and the pivot points of the ends of the links connected to said clearer roll being disposed in staggered relationship.

4. In a drawing frame and the like having top and bottom rolls, a clearer assembly for clearing the top rolls comprising a clearer board engageable with some of said top rolls, a clearer board driving roll of larger diameter than said top rolls and positioned between two of said top rolls whereby rotation of said top rolls results in corresponding rotation of said clearer board driving roll, links extending between said clearer board and said driving roll, pivot pins connecting corresponding ends of said links to opposite ends of said clearer board, pivot pins eccentrically connecting the other ends of said links to said driving roll, and the pivot pins connecting the links to the driving roll being staggered relative to each other whereby rotation of said driving roll causes relative reciprocation of said links to impart a swirling motion to said clearer board relative to said top rolls.

5. In a drafting machine, such as a roving frame or a spinning frame, having a set of top rolls disposed in spaced parallel relationhip thereon and said top rolls including a rear top roll, at least one intermediate top roll disposed on a lower level than the rear upper top roll and a front top roll disposed on a lower level than the intermediate top roll; the combination therewith of a top roll clearer roll resting upon and driven by said rear top roll, a pair of eccentric shafts fixed to opposite ends of said clearer roll in eccentric relation to the axis of the clearer roll and at points in eccentric relation to each other, a crank fixed to each of said eccentric shafts and having a concentric shaft thereon alined with the axis of the clearer roll, a bearing member engaged by each of said concentric shafts and being supported by a fixed part of the machine, a link having one end pivotally connected to each of said eccentric shafts, a clearer board resting upon the front roll and the intermediate roll, and means connecting the other ends of said links to opposite ends of said clearer board whereby said clearer board depends from and is driven in a swirling motion by said clearer roll.

6. A structure according to claim 5, wherein the top rolls of said drafting machine each as at least two spaced bosses thereon and a roller neck connecting adjacent bosses of each roll and a weight transmitting saddle supported on certain of said roller necks for applying downward pressure to the corresponding top rolls; said clearer roll comprising a plurality of spaced bosses corresponding to and resting upon the bosses of the rear top roll, a relatively small rod interconnecting adjacent bosses on the clearer roll, and said clearer board having a groove in the lower portion thereof corresponding to each of said saddles whereby the clearer roll and the clearer board are permitted movement relative to the corresponding saddles.

7. A clearer assembly for drawing frames and the like having top and bottom rolls, said clearer assembly comprising a self-contained unit including at least one clearer board supported by some of said top rolls, a clearer board driving roll supported by at least one other of said top rolls, links connecting said clearer board to said clearer board driving roll, corresponding ends of said links being pivotally connected to said clearer board and the other ends of said links being pivotally and eccentrically connected to respective ends of said driving roll, and the pivotal connections of said links to said driving roll being staggered relative to each other whereby rotation of said top rolls will impart rotational movement to said driving roll and whereby the staggered eccentric connection of said links to said driving roll will impart swirling movement to the clearer board.

8. A clearer assembly for drawing frames and the like having top and bottom rolls, said clearer assembly comprising a self-contained unit including a first clearer board supported by some of said top rolls, a second clearer board supported by at least one other of said top rolls, a clearer board driving roll disposed between said first and second clearer boards and supported by two of said top rolls, a first pair of links pivotally connecting the ends of said first clearer board to corresponding ends of said driving roll and a second pair of links pivotally connecting the ends of said second clearer board to corresponding ends of said driving roll, first and second pivotal connections eccentrically connecting the links adjacent respective ends of the driving roll thereto, and said first and second pivotal connections being staggered relative to each other whereby rotation of said top rolls will impart rotation to said driving roll and whereby the staggered eccentric connections of said links to said driving roll will impart a swirling motion to the clearer boards.

9. In a textile drafting machine having at least three substantially horizontally and laterally spaced top rolls thereon, namely, a first, a second and a third top roll; the combination of a clearer board driving roll resting upon and between the first and second top rolls and driven thereby, a first clearer board resting upon the first top roll and spaced from one side of the driving roll, a second clearer board resting upon the second and third top rolls and spaced from the other side of said driving roll, a first pair of links having their distal ends pivotally connected to corresponding ends of said first and second clearer boards, a second pair of links having their distal ends pivotally connected to the other ends of said clearer boards, means pivotally connecting the proximal ends of the first and second links to opposite ends of the driving roll at points eccentrically of the axis of the driving roll and the pivot point between the proximal ends of the first links and the driving roll being disposed in eccentric relationship to the point at which the proximal ends of the second links are pivotally connected to the other end of the said driving roll.

10. In a textile drafting machine having a plurality of laterally spaced top drafting rolls; a first clearer board resting upon at least one of said top rolls, a second clearer board spaced from the first clearer board and resting upon at least one other of the drafting rolls, a clearer board driving roll resting upon and driven by at least one of said drafting rolls between the first and second clearer boards, first and second pivot shafts fixed to opposite ends of said driving roll in eccentric relation to the axis of the driving roll and at points in eccentric relation to each other, a pair of links having corresponding ends pivotally mounted on each of said pivot shafts and extending in opposite directions from said pivot shafts, and means pivotally connecting the distal ends of said links connected to each of said pivot shafts to corresponding ends of the first and second clearer boards.

11. In a drafting machine, such as a roving frame, a-

spinning frame or the like, having a set of top rolls disposed in spaced parallel relationship thereon and said top rolls including a rear upper top roll, at least one intermediate top roll disposed on a lower lever than the rear upper top roll and a front lower top roll disposed on a lower lever than the intermediate top roll; the combination therewith of a top roll clearer roll resting upon and driven by said rear upper top roll, a substantially Z-shaped crank member carried by each end of said clearer roll and comprising a concentric shaft portion and an eccentric shaft portion, the eccentric shaft portion at one end of the clearer roll being in eccentric relation to the eccentric shaft portion at the other end of the clearer roll, both eccentric shaft portions being in eccentric relation to the axis of the clearer roll, the concentric shaft portions of each crank member being alined with the axis of the clearer roll, a stationary bearing member engaged by each of said concentric shaft portions, a link having one end pivotally connected to each of said eccentric shaft portions, a clearer board resting upon the front roll and the intermediate roll, and means connecting the other ends of said links to opposite ends of said clearer board whereby said clearer board depends from and is driven in a swirling motion by said clearer roll.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 156,947 Rommel et al. Nov. 17, 1874 1,077,528 Gould et al. Nov. 4, 1913 1,246,535 Brierclitfe et al Nov. 13, 1917 1,727,512 Mallott Sept. 10, 1929 2,741,802 Preston Apr. 17, 1956 

